and Dan Abnett eaisly ranks as one of the world's greatest modern writers, but due to the subject area he writes in mainly. He started as a comic book writer, (and did a few mister men) and also writes a lot of the stuff for Games Workshop's warhammer 40000 universe. I think he has 1 book out outside these areas. It's a shame, as it means most mianstream readers miss out on his work, which is amazing.
I'm sure some people have heard of it, but I might as well throw it out there. Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series is pretty great. Awesome setting, good pacing and one of most cool and original magic systems I've seen in fiction.
Loved Sabriel and Lireal. Got bogged down after that.
Of course Nalo Hopkinson. I esp. recc. "Brown Girl in the Ring." Some scary original and just plain scary stuff.
No one will answer my call about early Diane Wynne Jones, dammit!! She is my biggest influence and influenced the likes of Gaiman and Rowlings.